Ozarks At Large
Another ballot initiative group is moving forwarrd with petitions after the state's attorney general approved the wording of its measure, which would raise the minimum wage in Arkansas to $8.50. Booneville Community Hospital starts the new year with a new name and new management. Fayetteville is set to be recognized as a compassionate city. Thirteen Arkansas counties are declared disaster areas after the early December ice and snow storm. And with a budget set, the Sebastian County Quorum Court and Fort Smith Board of Directors agree on amenities to be placed in the future Ben Geren Aquatics Park.
On this first Monday of the first month of the year, we have the first installment in a monthly series looking more closely at the number of that month. Edmond Harris, math professor at the University of Arkansas, spoke with Christina Thomas about the importance of the number 1.


Here are out ten clips relating to Buffalo, New York and the War of 1812.
1) Ten Thousand Maniacs (from the Buffalo area) sing Because the Night,
2) Robert Redford and Wilford Brimley in The Natural (filmed in Buffalo).
3) Bruce Springsteen sings about Buffalo's Erie Canal.
4) A trailer, featuring Marilyn Monroe, for the movie Niagara…set in nearby Niagara Falls. 5) Buffalo native Rick James ponders a Super Freak.
6) A BBC documentary about the assassination of President McKinley. The shooting happened in Buffalo. (as did the subsequent swearing-n ceremony of Theodore Roosevelt).
7) The only electronic song we know of about Buffalo native Grover Cleveland.
8) Judy Garland sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow…written by Buffalo native Harold Arlen.
9) Amanda Blake, another Buffalo native, as Miss Kitty on an early episode of Gunsmoke.
10) Johnny Horton sings The Battle of New Orleans, about the final battle of the War of 1812. Arkansas connection: written by Jimmy Driftwood.
1) Ten Thousand Maniacs (from the Buffalo area) sing Because the Night,
2) Robert Redford and Wilford Brimley in The Natural (filmed in Buffalo).
3) Bruce Springsteen sings about Buffalo's Erie Canal.
4) A trailer, featuring Marilyn Monroe, for the movie Niagara…set in nearby Niagara Falls. 5) Buffalo native Rick James ponders a Super Freak.
6) A BBC documentary about the assassination of President McKinley. The shooting happened in Buffalo. (as did the subsequent swearing-n ceremony of Theodore Roosevelt).
7) The only electronic song we know of about Buffalo native Grover Cleveland.
8) Judy Garland sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow…written by Buffalo native Harold Arlen.
9) Amanda Blake, another Buffalo native, as Miss Kitty on an early episode of Gunsmoke.
10) Johnny Horton sings The Battle of New Orleans, about the final battle of the War of 1812. Arkansas connection: written by Jimmy Driftwood.
Justin Minkel, a Springdale elementary school teacher and 2007 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, has just written a new book aimed at young readers.


Our insect expert Dr. Donald Steinkraus suggests a few gifts to encourage children's interest in insects and nature.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Friday, May 23, 2014
On this edition of Ozarks, we take a look at a new study that analyzes high school graduation rates in Arkansas. Also Dick Johnson stops by the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio.
In the latest installment of our monthly “3 Things You Should Know” series, we learn about theatre etiquette.
"Love Song" by 311
Becca tells us that tickets for Les Miserables, which just opened at Rogers Little Theatre, have been in high demand.
While she was in our studio, Shannon Wurst played one more song for us.
The state legislature yesterday continued considering changes to the Private Option in order for the Medicaid expansion to continue, at least for the remainder of the year, changes that Governor Mike Beebe doesn't necessarily agree with, though he does concede the amendments make the bill more pallatable to some politicians. And Crystal Bridges gets a new installation just in time for Valentine's Day.
“Romeo and Juliet” by Dire Straits
The ballot for Arkansas' 2014 election cycle is changing...again. Michael Tilley from, The City Wire discusses the latest changes.